What is Yirgacheffe coffee and how does Bensa compare?

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee and holds an estimated 15,000 varieties, the richest gene pool anywhere. The Sidamo region in the southern highlands, known for volcanic soil and varied terrain, produced coffees that gained enough distinct character to be separated out: Guji and Yirgacheffe were once part of Sidamo but became their own recognized regions.

Traceability now drives demand, and sub-regions have followed. Bensa, in the Sidamo zone of southern Ethiopia, sits between 1,800 and 2,300 meters, part of the range at which Ethiopian coffee grows. That altitude supports brands such as Alo Village, Hamasho and Elto. Elto Coffee, founded by a couple, focuses on careful selection and processing to push Bensa flavors further.

Ethiopia, as the recognized birthplace of coffee, possesses the world's richest coffee gene pool, with an estimated nearly 15,000 varieties. The Sidamo region, with its fertile volcanic soil and diverse terrain, has nurtured countless specialty coffees. In recent years, the high-altitude microclimate of the Bensa area has given rise to well-known brands such as Alo Village, Hamasho, and Elto. Among them, Elto Coffee, founded by a couple, is dedicated to pushing the flavors of Bensa to the extreme through rigorous selection and meticulous processing. This article will guide you through the evolution of the Sidamo region, the rise of Bensa, and the story and quality pursuit behind Elto. Front Street Coffee will also recommend related products for you.

African coffee occupies a pivotal position in the global coffee market, and for many coffee enthusiasts, Ethiopia is an even more coveted holy land. It is recognized as the birthplace of coffee and is home to the world's largest coffee gene pool, with an extremely rich variety of species. It is estimated that Ethiopia currently has close to 15,000 coffee varieties.

Ethiopia is home to multiple coffee-producing regions, including Sidamo, Harrar, Kaffa, Limmu, Lekempti, Tepi, Bebeka, and Bale.

The Sidamo region is located in the fertile highlands south of Lake Awasa in the East African Rift Valley, spanning a vast area. With diverse soil types, rich microclimates, and terrain that includes mountains, plateaus, valleys, and plains, its geologically nutrient-rich, well-drained volcanic soil provides ideal conditions for coffee cultivation, also endowing the region's coffee beans with distinctive flavor characteristics and outstanding quality. Guji and Yirgacheffe were originally part of Sidamo but later became separate coffee regions due to their unique flavors.

With the advancement of the specialty coffee wave, consumers are increasingly demanding traceability in coffee beans. In recent years, the Ethiopian coffee industry has continued to develop, dividing into many sub-regions and spawning numerous coffee brands, such as the recently well-known Alo, Rumudamo, Hamasho, and Elto, all of which originate from the Sidamo region.

In recent years, the Bensa area of Sidamo has gradually come into the public eye. Bensa is located in the Sidamo zone of southern Ethiopia, at an altitude between 1,800 and 2,300 meters. The high-altitude environment makes the coffee flavors more complex and varied. The aforementioned Alo, Hamasho, and Elto all originate from this area. Front Street Coffee also continuously monitors high-quality lots from the Bensa region, selecting representative beans for enthusiasts.

Elto Coffee

Elto Coffee was co-founded by Eliyas Dukamo and Atiklit Dejene. It is a local exporter that primarily purchases coffee cherries from the Bensa region and then processes and exports them. Eliyas Dukamo has been deeply involved in the specialty coffee industry for many years, while Atiklit Dejene previously served as the manager of the Gesha Village processing plant. The two are a married couple.

The word "Elto" originates from the Sudanese language and carries meanings of "beyond passion" and "abundance." The couple hopes that Elto Coffee can become the most unforgettable coffee experience in the drinker's memory.

They have always been committed to elevating the processing standards of Ethiopian specialty coffee. By strictly selecting coffee cherries grown at altitudes of 2,000 to 2,350 meters and implementing high-quality control in the processing stage, they drive the advancement of the local specialty coffee industry. Front Street Coffee also recommends paying attention to Elto Coffee and experiencing the unique terroir of the Bensa highlands.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.